Schools to be renamed

HUNDREDS of schools named after British royals and historical figures are to be renamed after Zimbabwean national heroes - including Chenjerai Hitler Hunzvi, a leader of militant war veterans who died of an Aidsrelated illness last year.

HUNDREDS of schools named after British royals and historical figures are to be renamed after Zimbabwean national heroes - including Chenjerai Hitler Hunzvi, a leader of militant war veterans who died of an Aidsrelated illness last year.

President Robert Mugabe, fighting for his political survival in elections scheduled for March 9-10, has made the struggle against colonialism a key theme of his campaign. He accuses the British establishment of supporting the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The Education Ministry released a list of schools across the country whose names would be changed to honour liberation "heroes" and prominent cultural or government figures from Zimbabwe.

The Harare Prince Edward high school is to become Murenga Boys High, after a leader of an uprising against colonial settlers a century ago.

A girls' school named after the Queen will be changed to the Sally Mugabe Girls High after Mugabe's first wife who died of kidney failure.

Most main town and street names were changed soon after independence in 1980.